Peru is celebrating 100 years since the rediscovery of Machu Picchu by Yale professor Hiram Bingham III. On July 24, 1911, the American, who some believe was later the “model” for Indiana Jones, stumbled upon jungle-and-vine-coated ruins during an expedition to find an ancient Inca Empire in the Andes mountains. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. In 2007, it was crowned as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World via a worldwide Internet vote. To mark the Machu Picchu centennial celebration, here is a collection of pictures from the “Lost City of the Incas.”[46 Photos]

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Early morning in wonderful Machu Picchu, a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 meters (7,970 ft) above sea level. Most archaeologists think Machu Picchu was built around AD 1400 as “an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti” and is often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas.” It is probably the most familiar icon of the Inca World. Around the time of the Spanish Conquest in 1572, the Incas abandoned their empire and the Peruvian jungle swallowed Machu Picchu. It wasn’t rediscovered until 1911 by American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham. There are about 140 structures or features, ranging from temples, to sanctuaries, parks, and residences, with more than 100 flights of stone steps carved from a single block of granite. Photo #1 by Pedro Szekely

Machu Picchu’s sunset panorama. Like many explorers, Bingham wasn’t sure what he had discovered. He wrote about stumbling upon Machu Picchu in a 1913 Harper’s Monthly article, “Suddenly we found ourselves in the midst of a jungle-covered maze of small and large walls, the ruins of buildings made of blocks of white granite, most carefully cut and beautifully fitted together without cement. Surprise followed surprise until we came to the realization that we were in the midst of as wonderful ruins as any ever found in Peru.” Bingham added, “Yet so far as I have been able to discover, there is no reference in the Spanish chronicles to Machu Picchu. It is possible that not even the conquistadors ever saw this wonderful place.” Photo #2 by Martin St-Amant

Wayna Picchu viewed from Machu Picchu’s access gate. The Incas were masters of the ashlar technique of building. They cut blocks of stone that fit together tightly without using mortar. Many junctions in the central city are so perfectly cut and constructed that not even a blade of grass fits between the stones. By not using mortar, the buildings are able to withstand earthquakes. Photo #6 by Martin St-Amant

An odd photo to be sure, but the photographer explained. “This skull was deformed by binding wood to the skull of a new born baby, a common Inca practice. Yucay valley, Peru. There have been movies and TV specials that have suggested it was an alien skull….LOL.” Photo #8 by Dennis Jarvis

Tourists on Incan terraces. The ruins of Machu Picchu are divided into two main sections, Urban and Agricultural Sectors which are divided by a wall. The Agricultural Sector is further subdivided into Upper and Lower sectors, while the Urban Sector is split into East and West sectors, and further separated by a wide plaza. Photo #9 by Samuel Renard

The photographer wrote, “We were there measuring astronomical alignments during sunrise on the solstice. It was every bit as awesome as it sounds, and considerably awesomer than this photo conveys.” Photo #10 by dann toliver

The photographer noted, “This is from the paths through the small patch of cloud forest behind the lodge we stayed at near the base of Machu Picchu. All of the Inkaterra lodges we stayed at were very well integrated with their native environments, and this was not exception. Not shown: the dozens of hummingbirds and dozens more orchid species thriving on their grounds.” Photo #16 by icelight

Temple of the Sun. According to archaeologists (and Wikipedia), the urban sector of Machu Picchu was divided into three great districts: the Sacred District, the Popular District to the south, and the District of the Priests and the Nobility. Located in the first zone are the primary archaeological treasures: the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun and the Room of the Three Windows. These were dedicated to Inti, their sun god and greatest deity. Photo #19 by Fabricio GuzmÃ¡n

The photographer wrote, “Our guide to Machu Picchu demonstrates what are believed to be stocks to constrain prisoners.” Photo #21 by Dan Lundberg

These stairs lead to the “Popular District” which is also called the “Residential District.” It was where the lower-class people lived. It includes storage buildings and simple houses. There is also a royalty area which was meant for the nobility; that group of houses are located in rows over a slope. Houses for the Amautas (wise persons) was characterized by its reddish walls, while the zone of the Ã‘ustas (princesses) had trapezoid-shaped rooms. Photo #22 by Roger Nelson

The interior of a partially restored Inca building that features trapezoidal windows. The Inca designed walls to help protect them against damage and from collapsing in an earthquake. Doors and windows have this trapezoidal design and and tilt inward from bottom to top. The corners are usually rounded, while inside corners often incline slightly into the rooms. “L”-shaped blocks were used to tie outside corners of the structure together. These walls do not rise straight from bottom to top, but are offset slightly from row to row. Photo #25 by Martin St-Amant

This is by far the most popular of the Inca trails for trekking. It’s called the Capaq Nan trail, which leads from the city of Cusco to the so-called “Lost City of the Incas.” Bingham remarked on the fact that Machu Picchu is only a 5 day hike from Cusco. You can still make that trip if you are daring and willing to hike. You should be in good shape to take the Incan Trail and plan on 3 – 6 days for your journey. Photo #26 by Pajaro

The photographer pointed out, “For all the attention paid to the awesome construction of the city itself, not enough credit is given to the amount of work it took just to insure Machu Picchu didn’t instantly slide off of its precarious perch. This system of terraces serve as reinforcement, holding the bulk of the city thousands of feet above the valley floor. Dramatically they appear to suddenly end, the depths leaving the viewer unsupported high above the steep Andean cliffs.” Photo #28 by icelight

Small water canal sweeping through the ruins. The 140 structures were interconnected by channels; water-drains perforated in the rock were designed for the original irrigation system. Evidence implies that the irrigation system was used to carry water from a holy spring to each of the houses. The Inca Empire was amazing. Photo #31 by Martin St-Amant

The photographer wrote, “Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this outstanding Sanctuary rises above 2400 meters sea level. Also known as The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu is considered to be one of the most important and visited destinations in South America.” Photo #32 by Danielle Pereira

View of Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu, showing the Hiram Bingham Highway used by tour buses to and from the town of Aguas Calientes. Photo #33 by Martin St-Amant

Ruins in the Lost City. The photographer remarked, “Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2430 metres (7970 ft) above sea level.” Photo #34 by nwhitford

According to the photographer, “Making your way down from the impressive Inca ruins of Phuyu Pata Marca is hard on the knees, but the sight of an impressive rainbow over the mountains is a welcome distraction. Inca Trail, near Huinay Huayna, Peru.” Photo #35 by Jayegirl99

Panorama of the ruins taken on a cloudy day. Mornings are often foggy as the Lost City is surrounded by a cloud-forest high in the Andes Mountains. Photo #36 by Martin St-Amant

Machu Picchu is situated above a loop of the Urubamba River, which surrounds the site on three sides, with cliffs dropping vertically for 450 metres (1,480 ft) to the river at their base. Photo #37 by Alexson Scheppa Peisino

After “discovering” the ruins, Bingham believed the complex was the traditional birthplace of the Incan “Virgins of the Suns” which was an elite group who took a vow of chastity. Their high priestess was of noble blood. But after human remains were found at Machu Picchu that proved not all the people were women, the “Virgins of the Suns” theory was disproved. Photo #38 by refractor

The photographer said this was where they crossed the Apurimac River, located at 1750 meters (over 5,741 feet) above sea level. According to the legend, the name Apurimac means ‘talking river’ because during rainy seasons, “a great amout of water drags the rocks which hit one another and produce a sound pretty much alike a human conversation.” Photo #40 by Danielle Pereira

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Yes what a ‘great’ civilization. Here is a description of one of their ‘great’ pastimes, the sacrifice of children to their demonic gods.

in the moment of the sacrifice children were semiconscious. Some children may have been left to succumb due to exposure to the cold. But others had a horrific death: scientists found vomit and diarrhea on their clothes, pointing to a violent death. The vomit contained the hallucinogenic drug achiote, also encountered in the stomach and feces. They were likely to have been asphyxiated, the body being crushed by their clothes, so strongly that the ribs and pelvis were sometimes broken. The bodies of the sacrificed children were mummified by the dry cold of the Andes, including hair and inner organs. In fact, Inca children represent one of the best naturally cold preserved mummies.

Cultural Marxism? What in the world are you talking about? Marxists aren’t particularly favorable to theocratic empires. You might recall that you are from a civilization that invented and widely used machine guns, napalm, and carpet bombing of civilian populations. Talk about human sacrifice! At the time the Spanish arrived, all the European nations (specifically including the English) were regularly using methods of torture and execution that were far more horrific than anything the Incas were doing.

FIRST, THANK YOU FOR THESE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES. I’M A RETIRED CONSTRUCTION WORKER AND THIS BLOWS MY MIND. TAKE A REAL LONG LOOK AT WHAT THEY DID AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY DID THIS AND HOW LONG DID THIS TAKE. WHAT DID THEY USE TO MOVE ALL THAT STONE WORK.

I am totally impressed with early man’s intelligence and ability to create the magnifigant structures as seen in these photos using no cement. I believe they were influenced by a deity that they thought inhabited the celestial landscape just as the Romans and Greeks built their cathedrals.

The little trails completely integrated with the environment surrounded by orchids and humming birds – it would seem “of course” what greater height could be achieved in life than to simply walk among living beauty and know it. Then to look out on the world from on top, to share these wonders every day with your family and people. _ the 21st century. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful photos! Machu Picchu is one of our favorite destinations in the world; there’s nothing quite like the view of the ruins. We have a 360-degree tour on our site. Of the pictures above, it’s a tough call, but I think my favorites are the first image and photo #36; the light is so beautiful in both of these, and the clouds surrounding the ruins just make it even more ethereal. Thank you for sharing these!

I trekked the Inca Trail 12 years ago with my beautiful mum, who sadly passed away 5 weeks ago. As I look at these images I clearly remember every step of this arduous trek and the sheer wonder that filled us when we caught our first glimpse of this breathtaking place. Seeing Machu Picchu for myself was the fulfilment of a dream and that I saw it with my mum made it even more wonderful.

Thank you folks for these pictures, sent to me by an old classmate from Oklahoma. I truly cannot find words of appreciation. I try to imagine living there, how wonderful, even without electricity, would it be? To awaken in the clouds and to take in the views. More than wonderful. Thanks again.

Despite my being an old fart, I not only completed the Inca Trail trek, but I also scaled the veritable vertical Waynu Picchu but, my being short, two gorgeous young lads had to yank me up through the gap in the stones on the summit. Positively terrifyingd if devois of a head for heights. Arriving at Machu Picchu, at the culimiation on the trek, was an incredibly emotional experience.

Awesome…emotional..to realize how the humans of today are destroying our planet..see what human forefathers did to preserve the earth for us today…..nothing resembling this site will be left behind by us..but this site will..may be..the only indication left of our existence

If you knew the actual history of this place and all Inca ruins you would not be so enthusiastic about “what they did to preserve the earth for us today”. They did nothing of the kind. This was a warlike people that sacrificed men, women, and children. Their culture terraformed as much of the land as they could. They developed and then over-developed their lands, and destroyed the forests to burn the trees to make the mortar for the frescoes. Do a little reading. This was NOT some idyllic group of saintly virgins building a preserve for the future of mankind, but was a twisted theocracy deeply rooted in war and conquest in which cruelty and torture played an integral part.

As for our destroying everything on this planet except possibly this site, what HAVE you been smoking? People have been terraforming and modifying the planet since mankind learned to make fire. As we continue to do now. And somehow, the planet seems to be able to absorb our abuse.

Thanks for bringing back sweet memories of touring Machu Pichu in 1972 with our children then at ages 7 and 9, when there were few visitors and children were the eager guides who ran up and down the mountain to beat the tour buses as they labored up the steep roads.

Always wanted to visit this place but now, seeing the pictures, I’d have been scared to death! Magnificent photography. My respect for the builders is monumental, as well as for the photographer who took the pictures.

I have always thought that something was wrong at Machu; Food does not grow very well at that altitude frost comes early growing season short; where does the water come from on top of a hill to give a supply to a large number of people all year round? Where did the human refuse go?

Thanks for the exceptional pictures that bring back treasured memories. I hiked the spectacular Inca trail at age 75 (a not-to-be missed four day awe-inspiring trek, including huffing and puffing over the 14,000ft+,’Dead Woman’s Pass’) These pictures reflect the amazing stonework completed by these early people. Hundreds of miles of upper and lower altitude trails. The stone construction and engineering to support the trails has to be seen to be believed. What is more amazing is that they did not have iron chisels but relied on harder hematite rock tools to shape each individual granite stone piece.
Whilst Macchu Picchu is certainly the magnificent showpiece, I would encourage every visitor to look ‘behind the scenes’ and appreciate the Inca skills in constructing their buildings and trails. (in comparison most colonial Spanish structures have long since crashed to the ground due to earthquakes, etc. All Inca structures still proudly stand ‘as is’ to this day.)

We were fortunate enough to visit MP just two months ago. It was so magical, fascinating, and mysterious. One can’t help but wonder how the Incas built such a magnificent complex. And earthquake-proof at that! To truly enjoy and appreciate MP, one needs to silently soak up the view. An unforgettable experience for us, that’s for sure.

Thank God this was acknowledged as a World Heritage Site! Fascinating photographs. I cannot imagine what it would be like to actually be there …. to see and touch the stones that make this great city, to breathe the same air the Incas breathed so long ago and to walk in their footsteps. It’s almost too much to fathom! Absolutely awesome, to say the least! I would give anything to actually see this in person before I meet my Maker.

But would you religitards please stop needing to give your god (whichever god that may be)the credit? What is *wrong* with you people? That’s a most incredible insult to the planners and workers who labored immensely, building sites such as this.

One of my favorite destinations in the world! I climbed Huayna Picchu in 1990 – then when I went back 22 years later, I wondered how I did it!! These pictures are fabulous – too bad there are so many hordes of people visiting there now….

Thank you for these beautiful photos! I had a chance in 1999 when we cruised from Miami to Chile, but now that I am 81 and am very healthy, I could have been able to manage that elevation 22years ago! I chickened out! My daughter and son-in-law-are going in October on a leisurely climb to see these sights, as well as, go on the Amazon cruise. Too adventurous for me, so I declined to join them!

I went there about 40 years ago, taking the train from Cusco to Machu Pichu.
I was amazed than and am again now, These wonderful photos are showing me more than I had
seen at the time,
Thanks a lot
Dieter

Not only did they create this without any kind of mortar, some of these stones are extremely heavy. Yet the Incans were able to place them so that they fit together almost seemlessly. There is only one long trail that leads up to this city, so how in the world did they even get everything up there? Without the technology we have today they still somehow developed this miraculous place. Awe inspiring to say the least.